Remember when default loading avatars in Second Life resembled homely women with mullets? Even the guys got ‘em, and a couple of unexpected breasts to go with the horrorshow. It’s hard to believe, but as of version 1.20, those possessive terrors are fading away, the Sadako-esque spirit of Ruth able to rest at last, becoming the talk of urban legends on this Internet superhighway.
Ruth, suitably, has been replaced by an aqua-tinted cloud dubbed “Ruth 2.0” by her artistic daddy, UI design guru Brent Linden. Brent was gracious enough to take some time from his creative day and send me what essentially amounts to a “build your own Ruth” kit, mentioning the “toxic” nuance of said cloud.
Intrigued? Get it! And I’m looking forward to the parodies which arise… and I’m sure you’ll tell me all about those, right? Or else…
![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
why do i feel a little sad that ruth has been transformed? i disliked her greatly no doubt! on top of being rather butch and unattractive, she was often in a neanderthal stance… seriously embarrassing! and how weird that your avatar can embarrass you, huh. and seeing guys with bewbs was always kinda… *shudders to think* but anyway, i'm sure i'll move on quickly and i love being ruthed as a cloud^^
Cant pick it up
– not set to copy or sale, guess ill have to go the long way round of making it up from the wiki
Please delete this comment
I just paid for a ghost orb avie that glows :s That is purty nifty.
xox
lil
Sahweeet!
I wrote about the new 1.2 veiwer when it came out (been playing endless RC for a while LOL!)
And in my article, I actually mentioned how I ~want~ one of these as an avatar! Woohoo!
Thanks Torley!
The secret of becoming a cloud is the hair texture: using the "default hair texture" causes you to appear as a cloud
Drop me an IM if you'd like such a hair.
@MiaSnow: "Butch and unattractive", LOL. Ever heard of the term "ugly programmer art", sometimes used playfully? I think Ruth was a key example of that.
@anon: I checked and it's set for both! Maybe turn on Highlight Transparent so you can grab it easier?
@Lilah: I the ingenuity of how odd hacks have been used to make avatars smaller/invisible.
@Ari: You're welcome! ;D
@Day: That's a form of invisiprim trickery!
Any idea what the UUID is of the ACTUAL texture used in the ruth cloud? it seems silly and wasteful for dozens or hundreds of people to reupload identical textures.
Unfortunately it doesn't have a UUID, the viewer plugs a local copy of the texture into the particle system by filename.